Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 992 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Two sides, one motion): Motion: the statement being debated, often starting “This House believes…” or “This House would…”. Proposition: for the motion, speaks first, defines the key words, ends “I beg to propose”. Opposition: against it, answers the proposition, ends “I beg to oppose”. Good debate topics for students have two real sides; a plain fact is not debatable.

1. 1.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
14. 14.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
31. 31.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
36. 36.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
37. 37.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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